215: ‘Proactive By Design’, with Wes Reynolds and Hugh Soward

Dec 9, 2025

Wes Reynolds, Principal at OPN Architects, and Hugh Soward, the firm’s Innovation Manager, dive into the future of architecture through digital practice and technology. They discuss the importance of their digital practice group in enhancing communication and design outcomes with tools like LiDAR and AR. The duo shares insights on their transformative annual retreats that blend business with creativity, fostering a culture of innovation. They also touch on decentralized collaboration and the exciting potential of digital fabrication in regaining craft.

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INSIGHT

Culture First, Tools Second

OPN treats innovation as proactive firm development rather than a reaction to industry pressure.
Culture, not just tools, must be upgraded for technology to stick in practice.

ANECDOTE

The 3 AM Pitch That Launched A Team

Wes and Justin pitched a digital practice after late-night strategizing and got partner buy-in.
That early approval seeded a team that now embeds technology into daily firm operations.

ANECDOTE

Hillcrest Dorm Scans Tipped The Scale

Reality capture on a long dorm renovation became the tipping point for taking LiDAR and scanning in-house.
In-house scanning improved data trust and fixed client complaints about inaccurate plans.

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Wes Reynolds and Hugh Soward join the podcast to talk about how OPN Architects is intentionally shaping its future through digital practice, experimentation, and culture-building. They discuss the evolution of OPN’s digital practice group, how they evaluate and adopt emerging technology, and why their long-running annual retreat has become essential infrastructure for aligning design, tech, and people across the firm.

For anyone navigating innovation, change management, or digital strategy inside an AEC organization, OPN’s approach offers a clear example of what proactive firm development really looks like.

To learn more about Wes Reynolds and Hugh Soward, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/215

To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co

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